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Popcornflix app hits 10M downloads milestone

Ad-supported online streaming service Popcornflix said its app has been downloaded more than 10 million times, a figure combined from app downloads to a number of devices including Roku players, game consoles, mobile devices and smart TVs.

Launched in 2011 under its parent, Screen Media Ventures, Popcornflix's model is similar to that of Sony-owned Crackle, albeit with a focus on more independent movies in its lineup (about 1,000 movies so far). Its on-demand movies and TV series are supported by ads that run before, after and during the streaming session. Viewers can opt to rent an ad-free version of a program for 99 cents.

Starting as a desktop-only streaming service, Popcornflix added a Roku channel soon after its launch and has gradually appeared on other streaming platforms. Most recently, its app became available on Microsoft's Xbox One console, and it has plans to be available on Sony's PlayStation 4 sometime in the first quarter.

Popcornflix's model is pretty simple. "Our streaming service has become a popular choice in a relatively short time because we offer people access to great movies and TV shows, all for free," David Fannon, executive vice president, said in the announcement. He noted that consumers "are looking for entertainment on their own terms"--although finding content that currently isn't available on popular SVOD services like Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is perhaps another draw, too.